Ellie Mendez, 2, and her mother Brittany Mendez of Bridgeton watch the annual Independence Day parade march down High Street in Millville on Thursday. / Staff photo/Charles J. Olson

Nikki Dimapolis, 15, and other members of the Millville High School Marching Band perform during the annual Independence Day parade down High Street in Millville on Thursday. / Staff photo/Charles J. Olson

Savanna Fahrer, 5, of Franklinville plays in a moon bounce inflatable during the Independence Day festival at Buck Park in Millville on Thursday. / Staff photo/Charles J. Olson

Members of the Millville 12 and under district champion softball team ride in a float during the annual Independence Day parade down High Street in Millville on Thursday. / Staff photo/Charles J. Olson

Ashley Unruh, 26, a member of the Wilmington University cheerleading team, wears patriotic colors while walking in the annual Independence Day parade down High Street in Millville on Thursday. See photo gallery and video at www.thedailyjournal.com. / Staff photo/Charles J. Olson

MILLVILLE — Two World War II veterans who share a passion for aviation history headed the third annual Millville Go! 4th parade on Thursday.

Former Navy Seaman Owen Garrison of Upper Deerfield and Millville resident William Hogan, a former Army B-24 bomber crewman, were asked last month to be the 2013 parade grand marshals. The two shared a convertible for the ride down North High Street.

“It was an honor,” Garrison said. “You know, they gave us a choice of riding in two convertibles or one. Bill being a good buddy, I couldn’t see two cars. I’m proud to be with Bill no matter where it is.”

Garrison said it was a first-time honor for both of them. Both men are long-time volunteers at the Millville Army Air Field Museum.

The Millville Development Corp., a nonprofit arm of the city, organized the first Independence Day parade and festival in 2011 to honor veterans and celebrate freedom. The event leads into an afternoon and evening of food, entertainment and fireworks at Captain Joseph Buck Park on Buck Street.

Marianne Lods, executive director of the nonprofit, said all area veteran groups are asked to take part, but the best response is from older veterans.

The parade, starting at McNeal Street, included fire engines, the Millville High School Marching Band, the Off Broad Street Players, local baseball and softball teams, and Wilmington University mascot. The Army air field museum and New Jersey Motorsports Park both entered vehicles.

Local and county elected officials, and candidates, also walked and rode. Mayor Tim Shannon and City Commissioner Dale Finch wove in and out of the column on a two-seat bicycle.

Watching the parade was easy for Aretha Elliott, who got to do it from the porch and front yard of her home on North High Street.

Elliott said she wished the parade had more participants, in particular bands.

“I’m from the old school,” Elliott, 51, said. “But when I was growing up, parades were exciting. They had so much going on.”

Still, she said, “It’s cool to see the fire trucks. But the bands make it interesting — the music, how the kids look.”

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Tracy Henderson, 50, and her father, Richard, set out lawn chairs under a tree to watch from the curb.

“It’s nice,” Tracey Henderson said. “We’ve been here before.”

Afterward, she said, it’s off to her sister’s house for a barbecue and some pool time.

Under a lone tree on Powell Street, Anjeanette Crawford dropped a lawn chair to watch the parade with her grandchildren Damionah Jones, 7, and Aniya Turner, 4, and friend Shukera Cross, 18.

Crawford was headed to the festival next and looking forward to a scheduled fireworks display.

Peggy Shapiro and Steve Siligato, emergency medical technicians at Millville Rescue Squad, sought out the shade as well with their families.

“This is the first year I even knew we had one,” Shapiro said. “We need horses.”

Siligator said this was his second time at the parade, having caught the inaugural event in 2011.

“Of course, it could be better but to get people out on a day like this is hard,” he said.

“We really thank the Millville High School Marching Band,” Lods said. “It’s summer and they still come out for us. And we tell them — come, relax afterward.”

The city opted to start the 2013 festival three hours later (at 3 p.m.) than in past years, Lods said, because the event doesn’t end until well after 9 p.m.

Besides a live band, paddle boats and vendors, the festival featured a watermelon-eating contest for children and a pie-eating contest for adults.

Trevion Scarborough emerged wet, full and the winner of the no-hands watermelon contest. And his stomach hurts, he said.

Scarborough said his sister urged him to get in the event.

Another contestant, 9-year-old Lilianna Amatrudi of Vineland, attacked her quarter slice with gusto. Her aunt, Jessica Connors, bunched her hair and held on to keep it dry.

“I like eating watermelon,” Amatrudi said. “I ate most of it. It tastes like water.”

As for seeds, she said, “I spit them out.”

Her mom, Maria Connors, said the family was visiting for the first time because her husband Alex managed to get time off for the holiday.

“We’re going to be here tonight for the fireworks,” Alex Connors said. “The only reason we’re here for the day is to do all the eating contests.”

Millville resident David Casius, a graphics arts instructor, won the pie contest. His wife Albania and daughter Dora, 7, cheered him on as the 3-minute clock wound down and his pie was reduced to crust. The finish was close enough that spectator acclamation was used to pick Casius as the winner over two other contestants.